A Marriage Of Macro Photography & Georgia O’Keeffe.

I have to say, that I owe it all to “Georgia O’Keeffe”.
Over the years, I have had a chance to visit various showings, have viewed and/or read many books about different artists and their styles, looked at a whole lot of work on line, and “none” has ever captured my attention like a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. Again, ….. “none”!
Oh yes, I have seen many different artists and photographers over the years that amazed me and really cranked up my taste buds, … but none like Georgia.

It was these two Georgia O’Keeffe paintings (links below) that brought about the “marriage” of my macro work and a certain G.O. style that I admire.
The blends of color, the light and dark areas, the overall flow within her paintings, … this is what I love doing. It it what I truly love to create.
Here are the two Georgia O’Keeffe images that gave me some direction, even though it took me years to figure out how I wanted to go about it.
There are many more of her paintings that have influenced me, but these two are the ones that got me started.
Georgia O’Keeffe Red Canna 1923
Georgia O’Keeffe Music – Pink and Blue II

One can study her work and see where much of her thoughts and paintings were directed at, particularly in the floral areas.
For myself, I decided that I enjoy getting in areas that usually is much closer than what you would see in the majority of her work.
So, … that marriage of my macro photography and the art of Georgia O’Keeffe was born.
I continue to go after these abstracts in macro, the blends, the colors, the light and shadows, the depth, … and hopefully, what I do speaks to you and helps you in some ways, … much in the way Georgia’s art has done for me.

Below is a image that I do not believe I have ever shown.
It is similar to another image of a “baptisia” flower that some of you have seen, but this one is a bit closer, … a bit more abstract.

© 2005 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Baptisia”

I also ran across a site today from Robert Genn, … “The Painter’s Keys”.
There is plenty of reading to be found there, … I think something for everyone!
Also some information to be found there about “notan”, … something that Georgia O’Keeffe used, and something that I am beginning to understand a bit more myself, ….. I think!

Thanks for stopping by gang.
Everyone take care, ….. now go out and create something!
Michael

Portfolio Now Listed At “PhotoShelter”

“Macro Art In Nature”

Reverse Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Lens – Brazil Agate & Flame Agate Macro.

Now this is cool!

I managed to finish shooting a bit early the other day, and while I was out, I started to imagine what I could get within those rocks that I had on hand by reversing my old Nikkor 50mm lens and attaching it to the Canon 100mm macro lens.
I was amazed!

This first image is again, a “Flame Agate” rock, using some strong back lighting from a light box.
There are some stunning colors, shapes, and patterns that one can find and I have had some great shots coming from that large piece of rock.
But when I attached that Nikkor 50mm lens to the Canon 100mm macro, I found myself in an entirely different world.
This method helped to absorb those colors, to bring about some abstract possibilities that I had yet to see, to let me see the possibilities with creative depth, … I really had some fun!

When these rocks are sliced with a saw, I guess that there are some areas within that rock that has some air pockets.
I am not sure if that is the correct term or not, … so I’ll just say “air pockets”. (I will try to find out.)
So, the first image here of a flame agate is showing a hole, or a exposed “air pocket”, with little specks of crystal like pieces surrounding the hole.
This exposed or open area here is maybe a tad larger than the size of a pin head.

© 2008 – Michael Brown
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“Flame Agate” – Abstract

The second image here is of a “Brazil Agate”, using the Nikkor 50mm 1.4 lens in reverse and attached to the Canon 100mm macro.
I can easily see a type of storyline along with this image, but this time, I will let you … the viewer, to come up with your own vision and/or feelings about this one.

© 2008 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Brazil Agate” – Abstract
“Ancient Landscapes” – Series

That’s it for now gang.
Hope that everyone is doing just fine, and I will come back in here again soon, ….. hopefully!
Thanks again,
Michael Brown

Portfolio Now Listed At “PhotoShelter”

“Macro Art In Nature”

Brazil Agate, Flame Agate, & Picture Jasper. Rock Art In Macro!

Last week I finally had a bit of time on my hands, so I decided to visit a few blog journals that I had not been to in awhile.
I went over to see a old online buddy of mine “Mark Graf” and his blog, and discovered this wonderful post of his about photographing colorful rocks in macro. “Pietersite Macro Art”
I then decided to write Mark, as my youngest son Joseph and I have been fooling around with doing the same thing since last year.
Looks like we all have a touch of “rock hound” in us!

© 2008 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Brazil Agate”
“Ancient Landscapes” – Series

I truly love all of the wildly beautiful lines, shapes, and patterns to be found within all of the rocks and minerals.
Lighting can be a bit touchy, depending on the cut and surface of the rock, but that is just a part of the fun while working with these little gems.
One thing that I have learned, is that I really enjoy shooting some of the more translucent type of rocks that carries a lot of color, and to use a very strong light source in the background, ….. such as a light box.

© 2008 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Flame Agate”

And, … getting your camera pointing downwards and the lens parallel to the flat surface of the rock can also be very tricky!
A pain in the butt actually!!

© 2008 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Flame Agate”

Often you can look at these rocks and minerals, and at times it is very hard to see all of the possibilities that exists as far as creating abstracts from them until you get in close.
If I go to a place that sells rocks/gems/minerals, looking for something to shoot, I will also carry with me a magnifying glass. It really helps me to see if there is something within that piece that captures my attention.

© 2008 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Picture Jasper”
“Ancient Landscapes” – Series

So, if you are looking for something a bit different, … and even a bit educational, … find yourself some rocks to photograph.
Experiment, and most importantly, ….. have yourself some fun while doing it!

© 2008 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
“Brazil Agate”
“Ancient Landscapes” – Series

Everyone take care,
Michael Brown

Portfolio Now Listed At “PhotoShelter”

“Macro Art In Nature”